Sony Vaio Z flimsy parts

My Sony Vaio Z's power plug portion is very flimsy and feels and loose (I am referring to the place where you plug your power cord into the computer left of the stamina-speed switch). The entire silver plastic part wobbles significantly.

I was wondering if there's a way to take apart the computer in a way to fix this problem.

Thanks.

 

All of the Vaio Zs feel wobbly, so it's not just yours. I don't think it actually is flimsy though or that it will fall off because that is how it was designed. Atleast it has never fallen off for me as of yet.

 

Not in my case. The plastic piece where the power cord connects with the computer is very loose, compared to the same plastic piece where the power button is located.

Anybody know how to fix this issue? Thanks

 

Yeah - I dunno about the new machines. I'm in contact with Sony about potential build quality related issues on two of my TT's and one of my Z's - I have a similar issue to you on a TT.

The SZ was (and for me is - I've elected not to replace all of my SZ's with Z's and have kept the 2.5 SZ71's I bought early last year) - apart from the ludicrous afterthought aerial - a machine that felt well engineered and built. To a slightly lesser extent, so was the TZ. The new Z's and TT's feel inferior IMO in this respect. The increase in the slightly pointless 'busy-ness' of the design seems to have brought with it additional parts that can fall off.

If I were you, I would contact Sony support as I've done stating your concerns. They've not actually done anything about the issues yet, but so far they've been fairly communicative.

 

Yes, I agree. This computer is very poor in terms of build quality. It may be operational after a 5 feet drop, but the vulnerability of the small parts make the computer very difficult to work with. For a high-end computer, we sure don't get a 'perfect' computer.

I had to recover this computer 4 weeks into my purchase due to its inability to recognize the wireless device unless I 'turn' my computer over physically. It's not worth it.

I contacted Sony Support and they are sending a truck over to pick up the computer without shipping charge. However, I assume they will be useless and will not only not fix the problem, but refuse to provide a replacement computer.

Anybody have any luck with getting replacement for their defective VAIOs?

 

/nods @ Vogelbung
I just got a Z and SZ at the same time and wow, the Z feels so much flimsier. The SZ just feels much more solid in the hands, while not feeling much heavier. Having taken both apart to do upgrades you can see just how much better engineered the old SZ was. The Z uses alot of plastic notches that can easily become loosened (such is the case with me and my shoddy handiwork, having to open it up over and over because I forget to connect something or other).
I certainly would have a lot more disdain for these laptops if I didn't get such great deals on the refurb units. I couldn't imagine having paid full price for such workmanship.

 

I haven't looked inside - I'm not a tinkerer, but the quest for lightness has taken a toll on the Z for sure in terms of how it looks to the user - and possibly as you say, even the tinkerer. Bear in mind though that the plastic is carbon-reinforced, and the tabs should hold up better than regular ol'ABS - and since the weight savings can't be applied to the major components, it's got to be done on the details - especially on a critically dieted machine like the Z. But still, the way parts fit could have been better accomplished - stuff jiggling around is definitely not 'premium'.

 

Maybe Sony will merge the Z and SR into the true premium successor to the SZ later this year when they introduce their Nehalem/Calpella notebooks? Anyway, lighter is not always better.

 

Is the Z really that flimsy?

I have an SZ and I feel the side panels are kind weak, It doesn't bother me very much but I always feel it might just snap off. I'm getting a Z very soon so I hope it is too bad.

I personally felt the Sony S laptop was much much more solid compared to the SZ, I hope it won't be the same for the Z...

 

Generally it *is* in the case of Sony. The Z isn't a weak machine, it's just badly designed in terms of user perception IMO, as is the TT. My own feeling is that they took the TZ design language in the wrong direction, and that sleekening up the SZ was a better way to go.

 

Unfortunately, robustness/solidness and perception dont always go hand in hand.

Something like the MacBook Air feels solid.. but, its the same solidness that will mean its internals will be destroyed if it ever falls. Or if you ding it, there will be notches and stuff.

The plastic and flex (etc) in the Z is there to absorb energy from knocks and such.. in the same way that crumple zones work in cars. The notches in the system mean they will break off, absorbing energy, instead of transferring that energy to the rest of the internals... its a good thing.

The wobbliness in the power plug i suspect is really slack, its there by design (its the same as my TZ plug)... eg. if tug on the cord you feel the slack before the laptop even moves.

 

Indeed. The power plug on the Z is designed to be wobbly, in order to protect the computer if someone kicks the cord. You don't want that "fixed".

 

That makes a lot of sense. The magsafe adapter has saved me many times. I wish other laptops could incorporate a design like that.

 

my feel pretty solid. it flimsy for a reason - since it the plug get bump around alot when moving and charging sometimes - the flimsy effect give it more room to flex around lol... i dont know :O just my opinion i rather have flimsy then firm . firm + hard push = broken =(

 

Well - it only guards against 'whipping' of the cord, not an outright trip or something - given the mass of the Z and the relative security of the power plug, it'll still go flying.

I'm not disputing this particular attribute of the loose feel of the power plug - what I am disputing is an engineering decision which tied in the wobbliness of the power socket assembly with the wobbliness of the round bits, which makes it just feel cheap.